Georg Philipp Telemann

Georg Philipp Telemann was born in Magdeburg on 24 March 1681 (14 March Old Style) into a family with no professional musicians.

In 1701 Telemann entered Leipzig University to study law but quickly turned to music, founding a student collegium musicum that later became famous under J. S. Bach.

In 1705 Telemann became Kapellmeister to Count Erdmann II of Promnitz at Sorau, where he absorbed the French and Polish styles.

From 1708 Telemann worked at the ducal court of Eisenach, where he befriended Johann Sebastian Bach and later became godfather to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

Telemann married Amalie Louise Eberlin in 1709; she died in January 1711 following the birth of their daughter.

In 1712 Telemann was appointed director of municipal music in Frankfurt, where in 1714 he married his second wife, Maria Catharina Textor.

In 1721 Telemann became Kantor of the Johanneum and musical director of Hamburg's five principal churches, the leading musical post in the city, which he held until his death.

In 1722 Telemann was the Leipzig council's first choice as Thomaskantor but withdrew after Hamburg raised his salary; the position eventually went to J. S. Bach.

In 1728 Telemann co-founded Der getreue Music-Meister, one of the first German music periodicals, publishing music for domestic performance.

Telemann died in Hamburg on 25 June 1767 at the age of 86 and was succeeded in his post by his godson Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.